KNOWLEDGE IS NOT ENOUGH

WEEK 10:
“Knowing things is good, but recognizing how these things function is better.”

I considered this week as a week of practicality and application. Our Machine Shop (MaShop) instructor, 1AE Renee Cabatan, gave us the first group project which is about the application of different bench tools. We grouped ourselves randomly and assigned a leader for each group. My groupmates had chosen me to be their leader, so I take the responsibility. Our project made us apply our knowledge about the different bench tools, and it enhanced our skills while we were having our hands on. It developed our own techniques on how to finish our project in a safe and comfortable way, but with much accuracy.

As a leader, I assigned each of my members to do a certain work. I see to it that all of us are taking part from our project. While working, I found out that more hands are better than one—that there’s satisfaction if everybody contributed his own sweat for the accomplishment of something. There is actually joy in work only if one knows how to find that joy on it, and I and the rest of my groupmates found it while we are working.

Thus, it is not necessary for someone to know everything. What matter most is that he knows why and how a certain thing happened for this could be appreciated more.

PUNCTUATION: A GRAMMAR TO BE KNOWN

WEEK 9:
Grammar is like math and science. It is widely used, usually spoken or written, but commonly forgotten. Every word that comes out from our mouth is grammar, and each statement or expression we write is grammar. But have we asked ourselves why grammar is being studied?

Proper grammar is important because it is an indication of proper education and an understanding of the matter of which you speak. It is also important because people are judged by the way they speak or write. In this week, I learned a lot about this grammar especially the different punctuations that are very crucial in writing. The punctuations I learned include commas, periods, colons, semi-colons, dashes, hyphens, and brackets.

The punctuations mentioned play a vital role in making one’s idea clearer and thus, understandable. Improper use of these punctuations may lead to other meanings, hence making the readers confused. With this, I learned that writing and speaking are just of the same level; that both of them require grammar mastery and familiarization.

As a seafarer, proper knowledge about grammar helps a lot since there are lots of papers and documents to be worked on. If I want myself to be understood, then, I should be accustomed on using grammar, and this will start at this very moment.

ATTITUDE TAKES THE MOST OF IT

WEEK 8:

As an engineer, it is important for me to know the various types of tools especially the bench tools because knowing everything about them ensures my safety and that of others. In this week, I learned the uses, kinds, and limitations of pliers, screwdrivers, chisels, tap and dies, and hammers. Knowing all about the said tools cannot only give safety, but it can lead to economy in a way that if an engineer wants to replace the damaged part of a certain machine, he can fabricate to serve as the replacement for it. In this way, both the company and the engineer profit: the company saves while the engineer improves his skills and knowledge.

Knowledge is not enough for us to succeed; it must be accompanied by awareness and attitude. This idea was justified when our instructor, 1AE Cabatan, told us some stories about many engineers who were harmed due to their negligence and impropriety to the rules implemented. Those engineers know the proper use of the tools, but because of their attitudes, they tend to forget it. Instead, they do what they want thinking that it would just lead to the same result. At the end, they were the ones harmed, and who shall be blamed for this?

In this week, I saw the significance of attitude. Even if I am not good at this time, I’m sure that I could make myself better. It is not necessary for me to be knowledgeable at all times since knowledge only takes a small percentage in one’s life; attitude takes the most of it.

A GOOD LEADERSHIP TO AN EXCELLENT TEAMWORK

WEEK 7:

As the day pass by, I and the other cadets are becoming more aware of the profession we chose. Little by little, we are now understanding how and why it is important for us to develop leadership, camaraderie and self-awareness. In this week, I learned all of these things even if it was done simply.

Our Basic Safety Training instructor, Bosun Gonzales, taught us how to wear the lifejacket and when to use the accessories attached on it. I learned that the emergency light is used during dark time when the crews are on the lifeboat in case of abandonship, while the whistle is used to give signal that someone is just around. With this, people who will see and hear any of the said equipment will be able to rescue those people in distress.

Since I was chosen to be the leader of our group, I was asked by our instructor to familiarize the various commands so that during the practical, our group can perform well. In this activity, I learned how to lead my co-cadets despite the fact that all of us were just innocent about this matter. When I am giving my command, I saw that all of my groupmates were following it even if they knew that my command was wrong. Thus, I was able to understand that the leader should always be aware of his commands because it may affect all those crews who are boarding the lifeboat. A single command can cause life and death.

When my groupmates were rowing, I recognized the importance of cooperation. Yes, cooperation is very essential since it is the primary reason why the lifeboat keeps on moving appropriately. Most importantly, I was able to boost my confidence and develop my skills in the short span of time.

THIS WEEK IS MEMORABLE TO ME!

SEEING THE NEXT DAY

WEEK 6:

My first semester in this academy had already passed, and I want to set my own objective on how can I improve myself and my performance: both academically and technically. At the end of this school I year, I promise to myself that I will always have an average of ninety (90) and above so that at the end of the school year, I am one of the cadets who will receive a certificate proving that I belong to the dean’s list of this academy.

I will make sure that I am going to submit all the requirements in any subject. I will also do my job as one of the leaders of this academy by guiding and leading my co-cadet. I’ll see to it that I will be a good senior to the incoming cadets of this school by showing how disciplined and responsible I am.

Most importantly, I’ll make sure that I am going to learn everything from our instructors even if I am going to get low grades. I will be more on learnings rather than grades. The field which I had chose needs experiences and knowledge, so it is important for me to grasp all the requirements of my chosen field.

HOW DOES SCIENCE PROMOTES PEACE

WEEK 5:

Here is my own opinion on how does science promotes peace.I considered it as another learning because I was able to think what are the significances of science aside from the fact that everything we do is science.

Science permeates our lives and informs our actions. Physics, for example, teaches us how mirrors work, how glasses can aid one's vision and how heat is treated by various household materials (plates and utensils). Chemistry discusses the principles of matter, like atoms, molecules and compounds. It discusses the countless different substances that can arise from the minutest variations within compounds. These atoms, molecules and compounds make up the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe, the medicines we take when we are sick. Some we can't possibly live without.

Biology, the study of life, teaches us why we are the way we are, why we need what we need to survive, how all living things are categorized, when we all came from. These, and countless other questions and answers are all related to science. Going deeper into the concept of science and its importance, we can understand why it is essential for us to know science. Why? It’s because anyone could be a scientist more than that of the past’s scientists.

Similarly, science is also important in the international job market. The greater the advances in scientific technology, the greater the demand for workers sufficiently educated in these particular areas. Excellence in the sciences can open many doors, otherwise closed, for students. These skills can get you a job almost anywhere in the world, and with the growing concerns about finding jobs, it certainly helps to have so many options available to you. From engineering to dentistry, or from cancer research to maintaining a national park, a large percentage of the jobs today require background in science.

There is another important aspect of science that I have saved for last. Science is fun. Fun in many ways. Learning is always fun but it's especially rewarding when it has something to do with the things going on around you. There is a satisfaction that comes from learning about these often complex matters that goes far beyond merely getting a good grade. It helps you to understand the world around you and to appreciate its complexities. It teaches you that we can't possibly understand everything about the world ever, but we go on trying anyway, engaging in the never- ending search for truths... and why? We do this because science is fun and exciting. The more we learn, the more we want to learn, the more we feel ourselves pushed towards the answers and towards further questions, towards the future…

However, while we continue to marvel at new scientific discoveries and enjoy the benefits of innovative technological developments grounded upon scientific advances, there is a growing unease about science and mounting concern about its adverse consequences. In some quarters, these misgivings have turned into distrust and opposition, reactions which are worrying because they may erode the foundations of public support for science. That support, which is inseparable from public confidence in science and scientists, can no longer be taken for. Today, therefore, the case for science needs to be re-made, in terms that are convincing to a general public less and less deferential towards the pure intentions of scientists or their greater wisdom.

While science is recognized as contributing to some of the problems and looming crises facing our world, this does not mean that viable solutions can leave science out of account. The design of realistic solutions must be undertaken with science, not against it. We need the contribution of science, for example, to analyze the extent to which human activities are responsible for climate change, environmental degradation and other worrying phenomena. And it is scientists and engineers who will help us to prepare for tomorrow's complex problems.

Science must be mobilized globally to address the enormous problems related to public health, agricultural productivity, environmental degradation and poverty. This will require addressing of very real disparity between the developed and developing countries when it comes to producing scientific knowledge and using this knowledge for social and economic benefit. Closing this knowledge gap will require finding solutions to the unceasing exodus of scientific brainpower to the rich countries of the world.

Closing the scientific knowledge gap also requires partnerships between scientists, institutions and governments. Science is a shared enterprise. The pace of scientific progress and the interrelations between global problems require teamwork and networking. Consequently, national and international partnership and collaboration between scientific institutions, academia, NGOs and other sectors and disciplines are essential.

Without global science, there can be no sustainable development; without sustainable development, there can be no global peace.

BOOSTING MY CONFIDENCE

WEEK 4:

For me, this week is not the week for academics nor technical skills rather a week for preparation and confidence. Since I am one of the tour guides, it was really shaking dealing with the students of Ateneo de Manila. Although the students were just grade 7, I still can’t help myself but to worry and get nervous, perhaps because of the name of their school. But remembering that I am one of the salesmen of this academy, I should act as a true salesman as if I am bargaining with them through the promising future this academy can offer.

At first, my knees were shaking since it was my first time handling students coming from a prestigious school. I told myself that this is a great opportunity for me to show what I can do not only for me but for the academy as well. When I am explaining everything, I didn’t feel anything except fun. It was really a fun! I felt that “my students” were comfortable with me because whenever I see their faces, I am sure that they are enjoying. Above all, they always ask questions about the academy and the profession I chose. After the tour, I found it ordinary unlike what I expected to be.

They are good speakers but I was able to handle them. From this experience, I realized that trusting oneself is the most important tool on how to overcome one’s fear. With this, I knew now that work is not really as it is; as long as I am enjoying on what I am doing, confidence will be there and the essence of work is at hand.